Disclaimer: Jon Bokenkamp & NBC; all rights reserved . This fanfic is a work of fiction. It details my own imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental.

Chapter 7

Red woke with a start, inhaling sharply and filling his lungs with much needed oxygen, the nightmare that woke him still vivid on his mind; Lizzie had been shot by a faceless man who'd plunged her lifeless body into the ocean. She had vanished beneath the waves right in front of Red's eyes…Lizzie. Red's gaze shot to her but she was still sleeping peacefully next to him despite everything that had happened to them. Red fought the urge to wake her, ask her if she was alright but almost immediately decided she needed her sleep more. Instead, he swung his legs out of bed and snug out of the bedroom. Carefully tiptoeing across the wooden floor, he stepped outside and walked along the secluded beach. Sitting down on a large chunk of driftwood, he gazed out over the ocean which was barely distinguishable between the darkness of the vanishing night and the dawning of a new day. From the outside in, Red felt the darkness bleeding into his soul as he relived the events of the previous day…who had shot him? He had his suspicions but could that really be? In the distance, thunder rolled and the ocean crashed onto the beach in answer. Red watched it all as a conductor, as though it were his emotions orchestrated by mother nature. Wind whipped around him and stung his cheeks but he did not react. Like waves, memories from the past tumbled in and dragged him away but by the time the sun had reached the horizon, he had made up his mind. He would do anything to keep Lizzie safe and by his side…

Liz had no idea how long she had been sleeping but when she opened her eyes, she heard voices…muffled voices. She couldn't quite make out the words but Red's voice was definitely one of them. She propped herself up on her elbows but the creaking of the bed stilled the voices.

'Who's there?' she asked sleepily.

'It's okay Lizzie…it's Dembé,' Red replied.

Lizzie eased herself off the bed and stepped outside. 'What's going on?' she asked.

'It's time to leave,' Red said…'You're not safe here!'

'We're not safe here,' Lizzie corrected him.

Red nodded and cringed as Lizzie suddenly touched his shoulder. 'You're bleeding again!' Red's shirt was stained and blood was seeping through it.

'Take it off,' Lizzie said. 'Since he's here…Dembé should check your wound.' Red grabbed his shirt and slid it off his shoulder, softly groaning because the movement hurt more than he'd expected. Dembé carefully touched Red's shoulder and nodded, 'Nothing serious…you've just torn a stitch!' Lizzie chuckled slightly annoyed, 'Yeah, that probably happened when you hit that guy senseless last night.' If her remark was meant to goad Red into an apology, he totally ignored her remark and didn't so much as lift a brow. Instead he turned to Dembé, 'Is she ready to set sail?' Red gestured toward the bay where a white sailing yacht lay anchored. He chuckled internally as he saw Lizzie's jaw drop with confusion.

'She was a little rusty but she's definitely seaworthy now,' Dembé said quietly. Lizzie's eyes narrowed to a squint, 'What's the meaning of all this?'

Red chuckled and tilted his head to one side, 'Don't worry Lizzie. I'm gonna tell you but first I want some breakfast…I'm starving. You want some freshly squeezed oranges too? They're right from the tree…simply delicious!'

'Dembé, I want to thank you for everything,' Red said, enunciating the words. 'Your loyalty towards me is heart wrenching and your courage commendable!' Dembé took in a deep breath, 'You know I would do anything for you Raymond but I'm also worried. Is this really a good idea?' Red's mouth tightened, 'No one can find us where we're going, that's for sure!'

Dembé lowered his gaze upon Lizzie who sat silent and motionless at the table. 'You know, she's gonna throw a tantrum when she wakes up. What did you put in her orange juice?' Red shrugged his shoulders, 'Just a few sleeping pills but I had no choice. She would never have come voluntarily!'

Dembé was silent for a moment and then nodded, 'I wish you luck my friend but please be careful!' Red nodded and stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Dembé, giving him a big hug and a kiss on his cheeks.

Lizzie woke with a start but within seconds her rolling stomach snagged her attention. She had to throw up! She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stumbled onto the deck, pushing past Reddington. She leaned over the railing and retched. It seemed to be coming all the way from her intestines. Her stomach cramped down hard, causing her to moan even when she was finished. Her head throbbed in time with her heart, fast and hard like blows of a hammer. The acidic taste of bile coated her mouth but then she felt a cool towel settle at the base of her neck and a glass of water held before her.

'Drink,' Red ordered. Lizzie took the glass, then stood, her legs wobbling beneath her. She leaned over the railing and rinsed her mouth out.

'Better?' Red asked. Lizzie nodded and then straightened, 'What the hell did you do to me and where are we?'

'We're on a yacht,' Red smiled with a smug expression on his face. 'And don't worry, your seasickness is just temporary!'

'I can see we're on a yacht.' Lizzie rolled her eyes at his smart replies. 'But where are we going?'

Red didn't reply immediately. Instead he curled his mouth up in a little grin watching Lizzie out of the corner of his eye, 'Nowhere in particular…just keeping us safe!'

'To Sail across the ocean on a boat surrounded by sea with no land in sight. Without even the possibility of sighting land for days to come. To stand at the helm of your destiny. I want that one more time…'

Raymond Reddington

Ten days! Nearly a fortnight at sea and they still hadn't seen land…just water. Raymond had promised her no more than a week on his godforsaken boat and now… A sigh parted Lizzie's lips as she stared out of the porthole, seeing nothing but water. She kept wondering why Raymond had decided to leave Bora Bora so abruptly and she secretly hoped he would tell her; it was nothing like Raymond Reddington to go on the run, not for anyone. Suddenly, Lizzy gasped; did she really think of him as Raymond while normally she was used to call him Red or Reddington and why the heck did she spent so much time thinking of him? If Raymond had been at all as Tom Keen, she might have understood. Tom had been lean and tall, four inches over six feet, with thick hair that turned to spun gold in the sun and his eyes had been a deep blue that had melted her every time he'd looked at her.

Raymond Reddington was average in height, his blue/greyish eyes framed by lines drawn by laughter and age. His hair was a very short brown/greyish…at least what she could see of it. Mostly it was hidden by his hat…his Fedora, she corrected herself. Never in a million years had she anticipated being interested in a man as Raymond Reddington…but she was!

'LIZZIE?'

Lizzie snapped out of her reverie when Red pounded on the cabin roof. It took her a minute to collect her thoughts but then she hurried outside. A dark, threatening sky greeted her and waves were crashing against the yacht. Red called out over the gusting wind, 'There's rough weather ahead…Can you take the helm while I reef the main sail?'

Lizzie nodded and stepped behind the heavily chromed helm wheel while Red untied the main sail. Suddenly a crash of thunder, followed by sudden lightning zigzagged across the dark sky. The wind picked up even more and rain started pelting down on them steadily. The storm continued into the night and Red urged Lizzie to get some sleep but she refused determinedly.

'I am not leaving you!'

'That's my girl,' Red smiled approvingly.

The wind-driven rain, the constant crashing sound of rolling thunder accompanied by sudden flashes of lighting filled their entire world for hours and hours to come. They had no time to talk; just look, listen and feel all that was going on around them.

It was close to dawn when the storm seemed less intense. 'Am I imagining things or is it getting better?' Lizzie asked.

Red nodded, 'I think it is…the rain and wind are definitely slacking off so I think the worst is behind us!'

'We've made it,' Lizzie sighed. 'It shouldn't have lasted any longer. I'm worn out.' Red smiled and encouragingly wrapped an arm around Lizzie's shoulder, 'You did good! I'm glad you're here with me!'

Lizzie smiled up into Red's face, then impulsively flung her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips. Taken by surprise, it took Red a moment to catch his breath but then he grabbed Lizzie's hands.

'What was that for?' He asked.

'I…I…dunno,' Lizzie stammered clearly embarrassed…what was she doing? Her icy cold hands started to warm against Red's and for a moment, she closed her eyes.

'Why did you kiss me?' Red asked again.

Swallowing hard, Lizzie wanted to pull her hands from Red's but she couldn't. He was holding them tight, waiting for an answer.

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…Please let me go inside…I'm cold,' Lizzie whispered, making an effort to free herself from his grasp.

'I want you,' Red said suddenly. 'I have wanted you since I first saw you in that box at the Post Office. Sometimes, I even dream of you…thinking about what your naked body would look like. Feel like. Taste like but….' Red slowly shook his head.

Heat flooded Lizzie and she tried fighting it…fighting the overwhelming pleasure of his words. She swallowed hard and looked up to him. '…But what?'

Red's wry smile was heart-breaking and he turned his back to Lizzie, 'This can never happen. You know what I am…I am a criminal. You're my wife's sister…We can never be together…It wouldn't be right!'

Moving behind Reddington, Lizzie encircled Red's waist with her arms, pressing her cheeks between his shoulder blades, 'My sister is gone…I am here!'

Red's shirt was soaked but she felt his warm skin through the wet fabric. Red straightened, the muscles in his back tensing at Lizzie's touch but she still held on.

'Lizzie…please!' Red turned to face her, that too familiar look in his eyes, 'If people know you're with me, they will hurt you to get back at me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything would happen to you!'

'You'd keep me safe!' Lizzie whispered. When Red tried to pull out of her arms, she moved with him, refusing to let go. Red scowled, 'If I'm with you, I'll put you in even more danger.'

He sighed but tilted his head until his forehead was touching hers.

'We…I…can't…'

Lizzie reached up and cupped Red's cheek, her forehead still touching his, 'Don't push me away!'

'I need you to be safe,' Red tried once more.

'I need you!' Pulling back slightly, Lizzie looked at Red as she said the words. He seemed more tense than ever but there was a flicker of something else in his expression too. Something that gave her the courage to keep going.

'Everyone in the world thinks you're a criminal…the concierge of crime. I know better,' Lizzie softly whispered.

'Lizzie…don't!'

'Stop me,' she challenged him. She took Red's face in her hands, 'You can't push me away Raymond. I care about you and I won't ever leave you.'

'Lizzie.' Red's voice broke as he met her eyes.

'I'm here Ray,' she whispered.

'I…can't‒'

Lizzie put her index finger over his mouth, stopping his words. Red moved her finger away, then looked at her for a long time. Then, without warning, his mouth came down on hers. Lizzie had expected a hard kiss, one with the strength of his emotions behind it, but Red kissed her softly, with a gentleness that made her wonder how long she could keep standing.

'Lizzie,' he breathed against her lips. He reached up and cupped the back of her head while he kept on kissing her, gently nibbling at her lips and teasing her with his tongue. Suddenly, he reached down, cupping her behind her knees, swinging her up in his arms and carrying her below deck. When he put her to her feet, Lizzie pulled her wet t-shirt over her head. She hadn't been wearing a bra so when Red laid eyes on her breasts, she heard him inhale sharply. Reaching up, he traced her collarbone with feather light touches, tracing a line from the hollow of her throat in between her breasts. Then, he pulled Lizzie to him and lowered his head to kiss her neck.

'Red...' Lizzie whispered she started unfastening his shirt buttons. She tugged the shirt free from his waistband and ran her hands up his bare chest. Red's head shot up and his mouth quirked up in his signature grin, 'Are you sure you want this?' He whispered as he caught her earlobe between his teeth.

Lizzie gasped as goose bumps rose across her skin from his kisses so she could only nod. Stepping away from him, she hooked her thumb in the waistband of her jeans and tugged, lifting her legs until her wet jeans and panties were lying in a puddle at her feet.

Red's eyes grew heavy-lidded and an encouraging smile was playing on his lips when he whispered, 'You're beautiful!'

Red chucked his shirt in one easy movement and got rid of the rest of his clothes so they were both naked and then she was in his arms, kissing as would they never stop. Lizzie pressed her lips to Red's chest, his skin wet and salty. His hands touched her everywhere, warming her, setting her on fire. She closed her eyes, hearing the distant storm roaring in her ears, the water lapping around the yacht and she felt as if she was floating in a warm sea of delight.

At first, Red just held Lizzie in his arms, liking the feel of her soft skin against his bare flesh, the feel of her peaked breasts against his chest and the feel of her silky legs against his thighs. He was definitely turned on but he knew he wanted to take his time with her. He wanted…no needed it to be right. One of his arms was encircling her waist and he ran his fingers across her shoulder. The way her body tensed told him when he reached a sensitive spot. When he softly caressed her breasts, he felt her body begin to twitch. Every signal from Lizzie's body sent signals through him and he knew he was ready but he wanted her to be ready too! Her nipples were hard under his caresses but he still wanted more. He wanted to touch her…everywhere. When his mouth covered her breast, her hips glided against him and he softly groaned. She was setting him on fire. Pulling her down on the bed, he pulled her leg over his hip and moved his hand between her legs. She moaned and twisted as her neared her sensitive spot and when he found it, she moaned again.

'Touch me…please touch me,' she whispered.

Her voice made him harder and he slowly pushed his fingers inside her wetness. She was slick with moisture and that turned him on even more. He moved between her legs, leaning over her, 'Are you sure?'

She nodded and put her hands on his shoulders. Red leaned down and she could feel him against her, hot and heavy, pressing, filling her, sliding in a little at a time and then withdrawing, only to push inside her again, deeper this time. He kept on going, shallow thrusts and then withdrawing until Lizzie's fingernails dug into his shoulders. She whispered something and Red wasn't sure what. It might have been 'love' or 'please'.

Lizzie arched her hips, trying to pull him in deeper but Red simply caught and held her, moving in and out, deeper and yet not deep enough, his pace taunting and incredibly arousing. Lizzie was wet, sleek and needy and she wrapped her arms around him, softly whimpering. Her body was hard with tension and they both were covered in sweat, but still he wouldn't finish it. He teased her till the point of madness.

'Lizzie…look at me,' Red finally whispered. She opened her eyes and stared up into Red's. Her breath stopped as he thrust into her, filling her completely. Lizzie moaned and no longer clawed at Red's shoulders. She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him with pure abandon.

She had never felt such emotions as Red kept thrusting inside her. She pushed her hips up to meet him and tears started to roll down her face although she didn't quite know why.

Red moved faster now, harder and she spread her legs, all of her life concentrating on the joining of their bodies, pulsing, surging together. Red could feel his lust raging like a fire. Thrusting harder and deeper, he revelled in Lizzie's heat encasing his erection. He looked down to capture her mouth. They kissed and when their tongues met, he mimicked the rhythm of his hips, sending erotic tremors through her. Lizzie's body writhed as the release finally came, and she cried out Red's name. He tensed and the passion returned once more as he climaxed too, then they both went still, breathless and exhausted.

After a few minutes, Red pulled a blanket over Lizzie, tugging her close and spooning her, his hand sliding possessively over her waist. Lizzie smiled. Here she was, in the middle of the ocean, pressed up against Raymond Reddington. She turned around and when she looked at him, she saw not a criminal…not the concierge of crime but a man who had just made passionate love to her. A man who gazed at her with the same deep affection. One thing was sure, Lizzie thought before she drifted off to sleep…she had definitely fallen in love with him…